''There(beginning of a direct quote; used to indicate existence [ðɛr]) was(past tense of 'be'; indicating existence in the past [wɑz]) nothing(not anything; no thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]) ever(at any time; always [ˈɛvər]) like(similar to; resembling [laɪk]) them(referring to the great drives [ðɛm]). (end of the sentence)He(referring to Dick Sisler [hi]) hits(to strike forcefully with a bat [hɪts]) the longest(the greatest in length [ðə ˈlɔŋgɪst]) ball(a baseball [bɔl]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) have(to possess; to experience [hæv]) ever(at any time [ˈɛvər]) seen(past participle of 'see'; to perceive with the eyes [sin]).''
''Do(Beginning of a direct quote or dialogue. 'Do' initiates a question. [du]) you(Refers to the person being addressed. [ju]) remember(To recall something from the past. [rɪˈmɛmbər]) when(At what time or during what period. [wɪn]) he(Refers to a male person previously mentioned or known. [hi]) used to(Indicates a past habit or repeated action. [juzd tɪ]) come(To move or travel towards a particular place. [kəm]) to(Indicates direction or destination. [tɪ]) the Terrace(A specific location, likely a patio or raised platform. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [ðə ˈtɛrəs])?''
''I(Beginning of a direct quote. 'I' refers to the speaker. [aɪ]) wanted(Expressed a desire or wish. [ˈwɔntɪd]) to take(To escort or guide someone. [tɪ teɪk]) him(Refers to a male person previously mentioned. [ɪm]) fishing(The activity of catching fish. [ˈfɪʃɪŋ]) but(Introduces a contrast or exception. [bət]) I(Refers to the speaker. [aɪ]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) too timid(Excessively shy or lacking courage. [tu ˈtɪmɪd]) to ask(To make a request or inquiry. [tɪ æsk]) him(Refers to the male person previously mentioned. [ɪm]). Then(Following in time or order. [ðɛn]) I(Refers to the speaker. [aɪ]) asked(Made a request or inquiry. [æst]) you(Refers to the person being addressed. [ju]) to ask(To make a request or inquiry. [tɪ æsk]) him(Refers to the male person previously mentioned. [ɪm]) and(Connects two similar elements. [ənd]) you(Refers to the person being addressed. [ju]) were(Past tense of 'to be', plural form. [wər]) too timid(Excessively shy or lacking courage. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [tu ˈtɪmɪd]).''
''I(Beginning of a direct quote. 'I' refers to the speaker. [aɪ]) know(To be aware of something. [noʊ]). It(Refers to a situation or event. [ɪt]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) a great mistake(A significant error or blunder. [ə greɪt mɪˈsteɪk]). He(Refers to a male person previously mentioned. [hi]) might have gone(Indicates a possibility in the past. [maɪt hæv gɔn]) with(In the company of. [wɪθ]) us(Refers to the speaker and another person or people. [ˈjuˈɛs]). Then(Following in time or order. [ðɛn]) we(Refers to the speaker and another person or people. [wi]) would have(Expresses a conditional past action. [wʊd hæv]) that(Refers to a specific experience or memory. [ðət]) for(Indicating purpose or duration. [fər]) all of(The entirety of. [ɔl əv]) our(Belonging to the speaker and another person or people. [ɑr]) lives(The duration of existence. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [lɪvz]).''
''I(Beginning of a direct quote. 'I' refers to the speaker. [aɪ]) would like(Expresses a desire or wish. [wʊd laɪk]) to take(To escort or guide someone. [tɪ teɪk]) the great(Eminent, famous, or skilled. [ðə greɪt]) DiMaggio(Likely refers to Joe DiMaggio, a famous baseball player. [dɪˈmæʤiˌoʊ]) fishing(The activity of catching fish. The quotation marks indicate the end of the first part of the direct quote. [ˈfɪʃɪŋ]),'' the old man(Refers to an elderly male. [ðə oʊld mæn]) said(Spoke or uttered words. [sɛd]). ''They(Beginning of the second part of the direct quote. 'They' refers to people in general or an unspecified group. [ðeɪ]) say(To state or express an opinion. [seɪ]) his(Belonging to DiMaggio. [hɪz]) father(Male parent. [ˈfɑðər]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) a fisherman(A person who catches fish. [ə ˈfɪʃərˌmæn]). Maybe(Possibly or perhaps. [ˈmeɪbi]) he(Refers to DiMaggio's father. [hi]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) as poor(Lacking sufficient money or resources. [ɛz pur]) as(Used to make a comparison. [ɛz]) we(Refers to the speaker and another person or people. [wi]) are(Present tense of 'to be'. [ər]) and(Connects two similar elements. [ənd]) would understand(To comprehend or grasp the meaning of something. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [wʊd ˌəndərˈstænd]).''
''The(Beginning of a direct quote. 'The' refers to a specific person. [ðə]) great(Eminent, famous, or skilled. [greɪt]) Sisler's(Likely refers to George Sisler, a famous baseball player. The apostrophe indicates possession. [sislers]) father(Male parent. [ˈfɑðər]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) never(At no time; not ever. [ˈnɛvər]) poor(Lacking sufficient money or resources. [pur]) and(Connects two similar elements. [ənd]) he(Refers to Sisler's father. [hi]), the father(Male parent. [ðə ˈfɑðər]), was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) playing(Engaging in a game or sport. [pleɪɪŋ]) in(Indicates location or involvement. [ɪn]) the Big Leagues(Refers to a professional sports league, especially baseball. [ðə bɪg ligz]) when(At the time that. [wɪn]) he(Refers to Sisler's father. [hi]) was(Past tense of 'to be'. [wɑz]) my(Belonging to the speaker. [maɪ]) age(The number of years someone has lived. The quotation marks indicate the end of the direct quote. [eɪʤ]).''
''When(Beginning a quote or dialogue, indicating a past time [wɪn]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) was(Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) your age(The same age as the person being spoken to [jʊr eɪʤ]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) was(Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) before the mast(A sailor's position on a sailing ship, typically a less experienced role [ˌbiˈfɔr ðə mæst]) on a square rigged ship(A type of sailing ship with square sails [ɔn ə skwɛr rɪgd ʃɪp]) that ran to Africa(That sailed regularly to Africa [ðət ræn tɪ ˈæfrɪkɑ]) and(Connecting the previous statement to the next [ənd]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) have seen(Past participle of 'to see', indicating a past experience [hæv sin]) lions(Large carnivorous cats [laɪənz]) on the beaches(Sandy areas along the coast [ɔn ðə ˈbiʧɪz]) in the evening(The time of day between afternoon and night [ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋ]).''
''I(Beginning a quote or dialogue, the speaker [aɪ]) know(To be aware of something [noʊ]). You(The person being spoken to [ju]) told(Past tense of 'to tell', to communicate information [toʊld]) me(The speaker [mi]).''
''Should(Beginning a quote or dialogue, expressing a suggestion or question [ʃʊd]) we(The speaker and the person being spoken to [wi]) talk(To have a conversation [tɔk]) about(Concerning [əˈbaʊt]) Africa(A continent [ˈæfrɪkɑ]) or(Indicating a choice between two options [ər]) about(Concerning [əˈbaʊt]) baseball(A sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl])?''
''Baseball(Beginning a quote or dialogue, referring to the sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl]) I(The speaker [aɪ]) think(To believe or suppose [θɪŋk]),'' (Continuing the quote)the boy(A young male [ðə bɔɪ]) said(Past tense of 'to say', to utter words [sɛd]). (Ending the quote)''Tell(To communicate information [tɛl]) me(The speaker [mi]) about(Concerning [əˈbaʊt]) the great(Remarkable or outstanding [ðə greɪt]) John J(A name [ʤɑn ʤeɪ]). McGraw(A surname [məˈgrɔ]).'' (Ending the quote)He(Referring to the boy [hi]) said(Past tense of 'to say', to utter words [sɛd]) Jota(Mispronunciation of the letter 'J' [jota]) for(In place of [fər]) J(The letter 'J' [ʤeɪ]).
''He(Beginning a quote or dialogue, referring to John J. McGraw [hi]) used to(Past habit or custom [juzd tɪ]) come(To arrive at a place [kəm]) to(Indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]) the Terrace(A specific location, likely a place [ðə ˈtɛrəs]) sometimes(Occasionally [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]) too(Also [tu]) in the older days(In the past [ɪn ðə ˈoʊldər deɪz]). But(Introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) he(Referring to John J. McGraw [hi]) was(Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) rough(Not gentle or refined [rəf]) and(Connecting two similar qualities [ənd]) harsh-spoken(Speaking in a severe or unkind way [harsh-spoken]) and(Connecting two similar qualities [ənd]) difficult(Hard to deal with [ˈdɪfəkəlt]) when(At the time that [wɪn]) he(Referring to John J. McGraw [hi]) was(Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) drinking(Consuming alcohol [ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ]). His(Referring to John J. McGraw [hɪz]) mind(Thoughts or attention [maɪnd]) was(Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) on(Focused on [ɔn]) horses(Equine animals [ˈhɔrsɪz]) as well as(In addition to [ɛz wɛl ɛz]) baseball(A sport [ˈbeɪsˈbɔl]). At least(At the minimum [æt list]) he(Referring to John J. McGraw [hi]) carried(Past tense of 'to carry', to have something with oneself [ˈkɛrid]) lists(A series of names or items [lɪsts]) of(Relating to [əv]) horses(Equine animals [ˈhɔrsɪz]) at all times(Always [æt ɔl taɪmz]) in(Within [ɪn]) his(Referring to John J. McGraw [hɪz]) pocket(A small bag sewn into clothing [ˈpɑkət]) and(Connecting two similar actions [ənd]) frequently(Often [ˈfrikwɛntli]) spoke(Past tense of 'to speak', to utter words [spoʊk]) the names(The designations of [ðə neɪmz]) of(Relating to [əv]) horses(Equine animals [ˈhɔrsɪz]) on(Using [ɔn]) the telephone(A device for communication over a distance [ðə ˈtɛləˌfoʊn]).''
''He(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'He', referring to a male person [hi]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of being in the past [wɑz]) a great manager(describing someone as very skilled and effective at managing [ə greɪt ˈmænɪʤər]),'' the boy said(identifies who is speaking [ðə bɔɪ sɛd]). ''My(Quotation marks indicating the start of another sentence in the speech, followed by 'My', indicating possession by the speaker [maɪ]) father(the speaker's male parent [ˈfɑðər]) thinks(believes or has an opinion [θɪŋks]) he(referring back to the manager [hi]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) the greatest(superlative form of 'great', indicating the best or most outstanding [ðə ˈgreɪtəst)]).''
''Because(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'Because', introducing a reason [bɪˈkəz]) he(referring to someone previously mentioned [hi]) came(past tense of 'to come', meaning to arrive [keɪm]) here(to this place [hir]) the most times(more often than anyone else [ðə moʊst taɪmz]),'' the old man said(identifies who is speaking [ðə oʊld mæn sɛd]). ''If(Quotation marks indicating the start of another sentence in the speech, followed by 'If', introducing a conditional statement [ɪf]) Durocher(likely a reference to a specific person, possibly a baseball manager [ˈdjurəkər]) had continued(past perfect tense of 'to continue', meaning to keep doing something [hæd kənˈtɪnjud]) to come(to arrive [tɪ kəm]) here(to this place [hir]) each year(every year [iʧ jɪr]) your(belonging to the person being spoken to [jʊr]) father(the person's male parent [ˈfɑðər]) would think(conditional tense of 'to think', meaning would believe [wʊd θɪŋk]) him(referring to Durocher [ɪm]) the greatest manager(superlative form of 'great', indicating the best or most outstanding manager [ðə ˈgreɪtəst ˈmænɪʤər)]).''
''Who(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'Who', asking about a person's identity [hu]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) the greatest manager(superlative form of 'great', indicating the best or most outstanding manager [ðə ˈgreɪtəst ˈmænɪʤər]), really(in truth or fact [ˈrɪli]), Luque(likely a reference to a specific person [luk]) or(used to introduce an alternative [ər]) Mike Gonzalez(likely a reference to a specific person [maɪk gɑnˈzɑləz)])?''
''I(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'I', referring to the speaker [aɪ]) think(believe or have an opinion [θɪŋk]) they(referring to Luque and Mike Gonzalez [ðeɪ]) are(present tense of 'to be' [ər]) equal(being the same in quantity, size, degree, or value [ˈikwəl)]).''
''And(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'And', connecting to a previous statement [ənd]) the best fisherman(superlative form of 'good', indicating the most skilled at catching fish [ðə bɛst ˈfɪʃərˌmæn]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) you(referring to the person being spoken to [ju)]).''
''No(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'No', expressing disagreement or negation [noʊ]). I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) know(to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]) others(other people [ˈəðərz]) better(more skilled or proficient [ˈbɛtər)]).''
''Que Va(Quotation marks indicating the start of someone's speech, followed by 'Que Va', a Spanish expression often meaning 'No way' or 'Nonsense' [kju va]),'' the boy said(identifies who is speaking [ðə bɔɪ sɛd]). ''There(Quotation marks indicating the start of another sentence in the speech, followed by 'There', indicating existence [ðɛr]) are(present tense of 'to be' [ər]) many(a large number of [ˈmɛni]) good fishermen(skilled at catching fish [gʊd ˈfɪʃərmɪn]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) some(an unspecified or unknown number or quantity of [səm]) great ones(very skilled fishermen [greɪt wənz]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]) there(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) only(and no more besides; solely [ˈoʊnli]) you(referring to the person being spoken to [ju)]).''
''Thank you(Expression of gratitude [θæŋk ju]). You make me happy(Your actions or presence cause me to feel joy [ju meɪk mi ˈhæpi]). I hope(Expression of a wish or desire [aɪ hoʊp]) no fish(Absence of any fish [noʊ fɪʃ]) will come along(will appear or arrive [wɪl kəm əˈlɔŋ]) so great(to such a large extent or degree [soʊ greɪt]) that(introducing a clause that specifies the result or consequence [ðət]) he will prove us wrong(that the fish will demonstrate that our assumptions or predictions are incorrect [hi wɪl pruv ˈjuˈɛs rɔŋ]).''
''There is no such fish(There does not exist a fish of that kind [ðɛr ɪz noʊ səʧ fɪʃ]) if(Conditional conjunction [ɪf]) you are still strong(your strength remains [ju ər stɪl strɔŋ]) as you say(according to your own statement [ɛz ju seɪ]).''
''I may not be(It is possible that I am not [aɪ meɪ nɑt bi]) as strong as I think(possessing the same level of strength that I believe I have [ɛz strɔŋ ɛz aɪ θɪŋk]),'' the old man said(statement made by the elderly man [ðə oʊld mæn sɛd]). ''But(contrastive conjunction [bət]) I know(I possess knowledge of [aɪ noʊ]) many tricks(a large number of clever or skillful actions [ˈmɛni trɪks]) and(additive conjunction [ənd]) I have resolution(I possess determination and firmness of purpose [aɪ hæv ˌrɛzəˈluʃən]).''
''You ought to(You should; it is advisable for you to [ju ɔt tɪ]) go to bed now(retire for the night to sleep [goʊ tɪ bɛd naʊ]) so that(in order that; with the purpose that [soʊ ðət]) you will be fresh(you will be rested and energetic [ju wɪl bi frɛʃ]) in the morning(at the start of the next day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]). I will take(I will carry or move [aɪ wɪl teɪk]) the things(the items or objects [ðə θɪŋz]) back to the Terrace(returning them to the specific location known as the Terrace [bæk tɪ ðə ˈtɛrəs]).''